IPL 2017: MS Dhoni reprimanded for IPL breach

Looks like Rising Pune Supergiant wicket-keeper MS Dhoni has had to pay the price for jokingly signalling for a review after Imran Tahir struck Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard on the pads during the second game of the IPL in Pune on Thursday.

Match referee Manu Nayyar seems to have not taken the joke nicely and the former India skipper has been reprimanded for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. It is understood that Dhoni’s offence was making a review gesture with his hands – there is no DRS in the IPL – immediately after an lbw appeal against Kieron Pollard was turned down.

According to a statement issued by BCCI, MS Dhoni admitted to the Level 1 offence (Article 2.1.1) for conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game. It further said that in case of Level 1 breaches of the IPL Code of Conduct, the match referee’s decision is final and binding.

As per the IPL website, 2.1 Level 1 Offences include

2.1.1 Breach of the IPL Clothing Regulations, save for breaches relating to a ‘Commercial Logo’ or a ‘Player’s Bat Logo’ as those terms are defined therein.

Note:“One of the core objectives of the IPL Clothing Regulations is to ensure appropriate and professional standards of appearance on the field of play and to prevent those practices that undermine that objective (for example the covering up/alteration of clothing and equipment with sticking plaster or marker pens, the wearing of batting pads painted with paint that subsequently fades or falls off and/or the use of prohibited logos).”

“For the avoidance of any doubt, there shall be no requirement that the Umpire must first provide a warning to the offending person to remove or cover up a prohibited logo before a breach of this Article can be established.”

“It shall be a defence to a charge brought under this Article to show that a Player or Team Official was required by his/her Team to use the offending clothing or equipment.”

2.1.2 Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match.

Note:Article 2.1.2 includes any action(s) outside the course of normal cricket actions, such as hitting or kicking the wickets and any action(s) which intentionally or negligently results in damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures and fittings.

2.1.3 Showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during a Match.

Note: “Article 2.1.3 includes: (a) excessive, obvious disappointment with an Umpire’s decision; (b) an obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket; (c) shaking the head; (d) pointing or looking at any part of the bat when given out lbw; (e) pointing to the pad or rubbing the shoulder when caught behind; (f) snatching the cap from the Umpire; (g) requesting a referral to the TV Umpire and (h) arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the Umpire about his decision.”

“It shall not be a defence to any charge brought under this Article to show that the Umpire might have, or in fact did, get any decision wrong.”

2.1.4 Using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during a Match.

Note: “Article 2.1.4 includes: (a) excessively audible or repetitious swearing; and (b) obscene gestures which are not directed at another person, such as swearing in frustration at one’s own poor play or fortune. In addition, this offence is not intended to penalise trivial behaviour.”

“When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the Umpire shall be required to take into account the context of the particular situation and whether the words or gesture are likely to: (a) be regarded as obscene; (b) give offence; or (c) insult another person.”

“This offence is not intended to cover any use of language or gestures that are likely to offend another person on the basis of their race, religion, gender, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin. Such conduct is prohibited under the IPL’s Anti-Racism Code and must be dealt with according to the procedures set out therein.”

2.1.5 Excessive appealing during a Match

Note: “For the purposes of Article 2.1.5, ‘excessive’ shall include: (a) repeated appealing of the same decision/appeal; (b) repeated appealing of different decisions/appeals when the bowler/fielder knows the batter is not out with the intention of placing the Umpire under pressure; or (c) celebrating a dismissal before the decision has been given. It is not intended to prevent loud or enthusiastic appealing.”

2.1.6 Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion by a bowler or other member of the fielding side upon the dismissal of a batsman during a Match.

2.1.7 Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in a Match or any Player, Team Official, Umpire, Match Referee or Team participating in any Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made.

Note: “Without limitation, Players and Team Officials will breach Article 2.1.7 if they publicly criticise the Umpires or Match Referee or denigrate a Player or Team against which they have played in relation to incidents which occurred in a Match. When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the context within which the comments have been made and the gravity of the offending comments must be taken into account.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, any posting by a Player or Team Official of comments on a social media platform (including, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn) shall be deemed to be ‘public’ for the purposes of this offence. Consequently a Player or Team Official may breach Article 2.1.7 where they criticize or make an inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in a Match or any Player, Team Official or Team participating in any Match in any posting they make on a social media platform.”

2.1.8 Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the above offences, conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute.

Note: “Article 2.1.8 is intended to be a ‘catch-all’ provision to cover all types of conduct of a minor nature that is not (and, because of its nature, cannot be) adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in the Code of Conduct.”

“By way of example, Article 2.1.8(a) may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit the following: (a) the use of an illegal bat or illegal wicket-keeping gloves; (b) deliberate time wasting; (c) cheating during a Match, including deliberate attempts to mislead the Umpire; (d) failure to comply with the provisions of clause 7.1 of the Match Playing Conditions; and (e) any conduct which is considered ‘unfair play’ under Law 42 of the Laws of Cricket.”

“By way of example, Article 2.1.8(b) may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.”

MS Dhoni violates IPL Code of Conduct

The incident took place in the 15th over of Mumbai Indians’ innings, which was delivered by South African legspinner Imran Tahir. Tahir, who was playing his first match for Pune, had bowled a flat and quick delivery, which struck Pollard’s front pad in front of middle and off stump.

MS Dhoni, Tahir and captain Steven Smith, at first slip, all appealed loudly. But S Ravi, the umpire, turned it down; the ball struck Pollard’s bat just after it had struck the pad, perhaps leading to some doubt. But ball-tracking showed the ball would have crashed into middle stump, and replays confirmed the ball had hit pad first and showed that MS Dhoni had gestured for a review.